Introduction to Personal Financial Management

Overview

The Introduction to Financial Management course at CTS College addresses the critical question: Why learn about money? Recognising that financial decisions impact every facet of our daily lives, the course emphasises the significance of holistic financial education beyond academic pursuits. Delving into budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, and debt management, it aims to empower learners with the tools to make informed financial decisions. The course is a response to the pervasive issue of uneducated financial choices that lead to distress and financial instability, affecting individuals across various income levels, backgrounds and educational achievements.

This transformative course serves as a beacon for learners seeking to navigate their financial journey effectively. It positions financial literacy as a life skill, empowering individuals to use money as a tool for resource management. In a world where financial distress is prevalent, the course not only provides immediate guidance but also instills the knowledge necessary for individuals to lead the lifestyle they desire, achieve their goals, attain financial wellness, and establish generational wealth.

Benefits

After completing this programme, participants would be able to:

• Assess their current budget and develop a new budget
• Improve current spending habits
• Track and prioritise their expenses
• Implement the strategies needed to stick to a budget
• Build their emergency fund
• Differentiate between good debt and bad debt
• Calculate their net worth
• Understand how to use a credit card correctly
• Understand how the mortgage process works
• Understand the role and importance of insurance
• Plan effectively for retirement
• Understand the importance of estate planning
• Understand the importance of investing and the steps needed to begin investing

Features

Below are some of the main features of this course:

• Short duration - can be completed in only 8 weeks with 1 class per week
• Competitive rates with flexible payment plans
• Experienced lecturer with excellent student support
• Online classes which are also recorded for further review
• Support group via WhatsApp with the lecturer, programme manager and students

Target Audience

This course is perfect for persons who:

• Would like to better manage their finances
• Want to enhance their financial skills
• Are ready to learn the tools needed to gain financial freedom

Entry Requirements

The following are the recommended entry requirements for this course:

• A desire to learn about money and building wealth
• Availability to prepare prior to class
• Good expressive skills
• Commitment to weekly participation

Course Content

The following would be covered in this course:

1: BUDGETING

• Determine an individual’s beliefs and stories about money and how it influences money problems
• Determine one’s financial goals
• What is budgeting
• Types of budget plans
• The budgeting process
• How to assess one’s current budget
• Strategies for effective budgeting
• Creating a new budget

2: SAVINGS

• Importance of saving and building wealth
• Differentiate between checking accounts, savings account and mutual funds
• Strategies to save
• The role of banks, credit unions, sou-sou, mutual funds
• Calculating net worth
• Steps to build an emergency fund

3: INTRO TO INVESTMENTS

• What are investments
• Prerequisites to investments
• Types of investments
• Benefits and risks of investing
• Steps to get started with investing

4: DEBT AND CREDIT

• What is debt and credit
• What are the 5 C’s of credit
• Types of debt
• Calculate debt-service ratio
• Understand good debt vs bad debt
• How to manage credit cards
• What is your credit report and credit score
• How to manage debt
• How do mortgages work

5: RETIREMENT

• How to prepare for retirement
• Understand the F.I.R.E approach to retirement
• The main challenge about retirement
• Myths about retirement
• Main sources of retirement income

6: PROTECTION AND ESTATE PLANNING

• What is insurance
• Types of insurance: health Insurance, car Insurance and home insurance
• Estate planning
• Wills and testaments

Schedule

Course Offering

Day	Time	Duration	Contact Hours	Cost	Lecturer
Thursday	06:00 pm to 08:30 pm	8 weeks	20 hours	$1,000.00	Ms. Alana A. Alleyne

Session - Thursday (06:00 pm to 08:30 pm)

Session	Start Date	End Date
2025 - Cycle 1 - Online Classes	Thursday, March 20, 2025	Thursday, May 8, 2025
2025 - Cycle 2 - Online Classes	Thursday, August 7, 2025	Thursday, October 2, 2025
2024 - Online Classes	Thursday, October 24, 2024	Thursday, December 19, 2024

Delivery Mode

Online Classes

This course will be delivered via live online classes. Students will be provided with a link to join the class as well as other relevant instructions at least one day before the start of each class. These classes are also recorded - therefore students have the option to review the course content as often as they like.

Additional Info

Assessment

Students would be required to complete the following assessment(s) for this course:

• Group work on the various elements
• Weekly demonstrations of the components
• Demonstrations of the practical application of the various components

Certification

In order to receive the CTS College certificate of completion or participation for this course, students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes and pay any outstanding fees. Where applicable, students who do not meet the necessary assessment requirements, but attended the required number of classes would receive a CTS College certificate of participation.

Certificates would be provided in digital format which would allow students to access, print and share their certificates 24/7 on demand. For more information on our digital certificates please click here.

Interactive Course Calendar

Explore our comprehensive Interactive Course Calendar, with a list of all our courses and their costs and delivery modes offered throughout the year.

View Calendar »

Fees & Payment

Cost

This course is offered at the affordable price of $1,000. In order to start the course, students must pay a minimum of 50% before the first class.

Payment Plans

Students can be given a payment plan where the initial downpayment is made, with an arrangement for the remaining balance to be paid over the duration of the course. Please feel free to contact us to discuss a payment plan customised for you.

Payment Methods

The following table shows the details for the 4 convenient ways to pay the CTS College fees for this programme:

Payment Method	Details
Linx	Paid at the Administration Office
Credit Card	Paid at the Administration Office
Cheque	Paid at the Administration Office Made Payable to CTS College
Online Bank Transfer	Paid via Online Banking Click to view full instructions »

Student Support

Facilitator

At CTS College, we believe in crafting an extraordinary student experience. This is why we have selected Ms. Alana Alleyne to facilitate the Introduction to Financial Management course. Ms. Alleyne not only imparts knowledge, but creates a learning experience where students feel valued and appreciated. She is also committed to shaping a transformative learning journey and creating an educational adventure that goes beyond the ordinary.

Ms. Alana Alleyne is presently a Business Educator, a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) and a Coach, where she educates and empowers others about Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. It is her aim to ensure that Caribbean people are armed with the relevant skills to become Money Masters.

Alana’s experience spans over ten years, where she served as a former banker at a reputable financial institution, working with clients one-on-one to help maximize their finances. Since then, she has transitioned into education, specialising in the area of business. She recently launched the platform EVOLVE where she strives to help persons EVOLVE their Life, Money and Business.

Alana is the holder of a Master Degree (Distinction) in Economics and a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Economics and Management. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor CFEI, Alana has hosted workshops and training sessions, working alongside a number of organisations to teach Financial Literacy throughout the Caribbean. Alana’s work has touched the lives of hundreds of persons. She is passionate about financial education and wants to help people use money to accomplish their goals, acquire financial freedom and build generational wealth.

In addition to her full-time career as an Educator and Coach, Ms. Alleyne is actively involved in her community and engaged in youth work. In 2019, she was awarded by the Tobago House of Assembly for her dedication in the area of Youth Mentorship. Without a doubt, Alana’s education, background and training makes her the ideal person to help you evolve your finances.

Programme Management

The programme management team is responsible for the management of this course. If you would like further information or clarification on this programme please contact:

Ms. Reena Seepersadsingh
Programme Manager
Phone: (868) 376-7721 / (868) 740-9095

E-mail: Certificationshidden@CTSCollege.com